MEDWAY will welcome four sporting heroes today to help launch its bid to be involved in the London 2012 Olympics.

Sir Steve Redgrave, Steve Backley, Steve Cram and Danny Crates will take part in a day-long series of events to affirm Medway’s commitment to the Olympics and mark just 2,012 days to the opening ceremony.

The day will begin with a business breakfast with guest speaker, former javelin world record holder Steve Backley.

Kent-based Steve won two Olympic silver medals and one bronze to become the first British track and field athlete to win medals at three Olympics.

The festivities will continue with a schools’ table tennis tournament at the Black Lion Leisure Centre, featuring about 100 Medway students. The event has been organised by Steve Waud, manager of the Howard Table Tennis Centre in Rainham.

A lunch at the University of Kent at Medway, with special guests Steve Cram and Paralympic star Danny Crates is next on the agenda.

After losing his right arm in a car accident in Australia, 800-metre runner Danny Crates beat the odds to take gold in the European Championships in 2005.

The inspirational sportsman will also find time to present every child at Featherby Junior School in Gillingham, with a wristband bearing the words Medway: 2012 days to the Olympics. Eventually, every Medway primary school pupil will receive one of the wristbands.

The day will culminate with a dinner at the Corn Exchange, Rochester, with an address from Sir Steve Redgrave who won gold at five consecutive games.

Medway 2012 manager Bob Dimond said: “We will be marking the occasion with the announcement of initiatives to demonstrate Medway’s commitment to maximising the opportunities of London 2012.”